backlash
noun
back·lash
ˈbak-ˌlash 
1
a
: a sudden violent backward movement or reaction
b
: the play between adjacent movable parts (as in a series of gears)
also
: the jar caused by this when the parts are put into action
2
: a snarl in that part of a fishing line wound on the reel
3
: a strong adverse reaction (as to a recent political or social development)
backlasher
noun
Examples of backlash in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The attorney general faced immense backlash from the left and the right over her comments, prompting her to clarify the remarks, which were widely interpreted as calling for unlawful prosecutions, on Tuesday morning.
—
Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 17 Sep. 2025
However, there have been some social media posts and videos celebrating his killing, while others have criticized Kirk and his beliefs, which has in turn triggered a backlash.
—Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
Nexstar’s move shows a backlash taking shape.
—Brandon Kochkodin, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
The move has been met with backlash from producers who have in the past used Channel 4 commissions as a bedrock to build their businesses by retaining the IP and selling it around the world.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backlash
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Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 17 Sep. 2025
However, there have been some social media posts and videos celebrating his killing, while others have criticized Kirk and his beliefs, which has in turn triggered a backlash.
—Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
Nexstar’s move shows a backlash taking shape.
—Brandon Kochkodin, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
The move has been met with backlash from producers who have in the past used Channel 4 commissions as a bedrock to build their businesses by retaining the IP and selling it around the world.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backlash
Cite this Entry
“Backlash.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/backlash. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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backlash
noun
back·lash
ˈbak-ˌlash
: a reaction against some political or social development
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